Officials at Mich. jail allow postcards but no letters

Inmates in Macomb County, Mich., also are restricted to subscriptions from a list of 12 magazines.

The limit on mail allowed inside the Macomb County Jail saves hours of time employees had to spend searching mail six days a week. Three former prisoner inmates have sued in federal court, saying the restrictions violate their civil rights.(Photo: Mandi Wright, Detroit Free Press)

DETROIT — No more letters in envelopes from home for inmates in the Macomb County, Mich., Jail.

Nowadays, they can receive personal mail only on metered, 5-by-7 white postcards.

There are also restrictions on magazine subscriptions — only those on a list of 12 titles coming directly from the publishers.

The jail changed its mail policy in mid-August to cut down on contraband coming into the lockup and the time it took officers to screen and redact each mailing and publication. No changes were made to mail regarding legal matters.

The change is one that more lockups are making, said Terry Jungel, executive director of the Michigan Sheriffs' Association.

Three former Macomb County Jail inmates have sued in federal court, saying the restrictions violate their civil rights.

Prior to the policy change, an officer was assigned to check the mail daily, Monday through Saturday, Macomb Sheriff Anthony Wickersham said. Every piece had to be searched for contraband, such as tobacco or narcotics, or checked for pornography or gang-related material — a process that could take four to five hours.

Former inmates Deontay Johnson, Dorian Willis and Ronald Whitney filed a complaint in U.S. District Court in Detroit against Wickersham and jail administrator Michelle Sanborn. The complaint, in part, is about the restriction on the variety of magazines inmates could receive, saying they lacked access to other African-American magazines.

They are representing themselves and asked for a temporary restraining order. Among their filings are documents stating some of their mail was rejected and that they filed appeals at the jail to no avail. Macomb County filed a motion to dismiss the lawsuit.

Corrections officer Steve Mileski shows a photocopy of an example of drug contraband hidden in the adhesive of a conventional envelope. The letter was intended for an inmate in the Macomb
County, Mich., Jail.(Photo: Mandi Wright, Detroit Free Press)

"I'm very confident this is going to pass constitutional muster," said John Schapka, the county's interim corporation counsel.

Schapka said the policy was tailored to existing federal law dealing with prisoner rights to mail and publications. He said the jail staff's time and efforts are better spent on prisoner safety, medical care, transportation to and from court and other matters.

Peter Martel, program associate with the American Friends Service Committee's Michigan Criminal Justice Program, said he has heard of county jails moving to the 5-by-7 postcards.

Martel, who spent 10 years in solitary confinement for armed robbery charges when he was 20, said it seems like there are more restrictions in lockups recently because of staffing priorities. Facilities also are reducing visitation time.

Martel said that often mail is the only way an inmate or prisoner can stay in touch with family and "communication with family and community support is really, really important."

Perry agreed.

"What can you say on a 5-by-7 card for God's sakes? How is that privacy?" she asked.

In the Detroit area, Macomb County is alone in its restrictions. Wayne and Oakland County jails allow inmates to receive letters in envelopes, legal mail, postcards, books and magazines.

Jungel, of the sheriffs' association, said jail administrators are allowed to set policy for safety and security reasons.

He said Macomb County Jail's new mail policy "is not an anomaly. More and more places are going to that."

He said he would encourage other jails to change their mail policies.

"It's less labor-intensive and there's a clearer understanding on the inmate's part on what they can and can't be receiving," Jungel said.